Recap - 'Glee': 'Born This Way'

The episode opens with Will saying that the glee club needs to work on their dancing. As they practise, Finn accidentally punches Rachel in the nose. He accompanies her to the doctor, who reveals that it is broken. Finn admits that he knew he was a bad dancer but didn't think he was dangerous. The doctor suggests that Rachel uses this opportunity to correct her deviated septum - have a nose job. Rachel says that she likes how she looks and doesn't want to harm her voice, but the doctor tells her that the operation could actually help her singing by allowing her more air per breath. He says that if she wants to be an actress she should look and sound the best she can.

Back at glee club, the rest of New Directions are shocked that Rachel is considering a nose job, which she justifies by claiming it will help her voice. Santana points out that everyone has something that they would change if they could and begins listing people's flaws, such as Sam's mouth and Tina's eyes. Tina says she wouldn't change a thing but Mike points out she is wearing blue contact lenses. Santana continues to insult the group before saying they should change things they aren't happy with. Will is appalled and says the thing they want to change will be the most interesting thing about them. Mercedes points out that the things that make them different are the things people use to crush their spirit. Later, Will goes to see Emma and admits that he doesn't think Rachel should get a nose job. He adds that he wants to teach the kids how to love themselves for who they are. He is helping Emma clean her fruit and suggests that they should figure out techniques to deal with her OCD. However, Emma claims that she was "born this way" and can do nothing about it. Will has a flash of inspiration after hearing her say "born this way" and explains that he is going to use Lady GaGa to help the kids.

Meanwhile, Santana draws on one of Quinn's prom queen posters and thinks that she wants to be prom queen. She believes that if she wins the crown, she will be able to persuade Brittany to dump Artie and date her. She realises that she doesn't have the votes unless she gets the "jock block". Sam walks past but she doesn't believe he has the "heat" yet. However, she sees Karofsky walking down the corridor. Suddenly, she notices him checking out Sam's bottom. She explains that she has a great 'gaydar' as she is a lesbian and judgmental, and realises that Karofsky is gay. Later, she has lunch with Kurt, Blaine, Tina and Mercedes. Tina admits they miss Kurt and Blaine says he'd love Kurt to return to McKinley if it wasn't for Karofsky. Santana has a flash of inspiration and realises that if she managed to get Kurt back to McKinley she would be a hero. She realises the key is Karofsky.

At glee club, Will announces that they are going to focus on acceptance this week. He tells them to sing about accepting themselves as they are and reveals they will perform a group number - 'Born This Way'. Emma announces that she will help with costumes, explaining that they will each get a white T-shirt and the use of a letter press to write what they would like to change about themselves on their tops, so they can wear it with pride. Will reveals that Emma has made an example but is disappointed when she opens her shirt to reveal a top with the word "ginger" on it.

Later, Rachel and Quinn go to the doctor's office. Rachel thanks Quinn for coming with her and agrees to vote for her for Prom Queen. She asks what it is like looking like she does, and Quinn admits that she can get away with everything because people are always nice to her. The doctor arrives and Rachel explains that she would like her nose to look like Quinn's. The doctor agrees to take some photos and make a composite. As the photos are taken, Rachel and Quinn sing a mash-up of 'Unpretty' and 'I Feel Pretty', which they end up performing in the choir room.

Meanwhile, Puck finds Lauren staring at the prom queen tiara. She admits that she used to be 'Miss Tiara Toddler' until she put on weight and started to be denied entry. Puck promises that she will get the prom queen crown and he will be her king. Later, Quinn is shocked to see a group of girls admiring Lauren's poster campaigning for prom queen. She finds Lauren and tells her that people will only vote for her as a joke and it will make her more of an outcast. Lauren announces that people want a prom queen who is like them, but Quinn says they want someone who is what they want to be. She adds that Lauren doesn't know anything about her but warns that the race is about to get personal.

Karofsky meets Santana for a date and says he knew she would ask him out eventually. However, Santana reveals that she knows he is gay and tells him to be more careful when he is checking out men. Karofsky claims he was just checking out Sam's jeans but Santana jokes that is still gay. She tells him that she believes he will always be in the closet, and Karofsky asks why she is doing this. Santana admits that she is gay too, but isn't ready to fully accept it yet. She proposes that they become each other's beards and campaign for prom king and queen. She adds that if Karofsky refuses, she will tell everyone about him being gay.

Elsewhere, Finn criticises Quinn for encouraging Rachel to get a nose job, pointing out that it contradicts their lesson in glee club. Quinn admits that she isn't "down" with the lesson but Finn admits that he loves it. In the choir room, he performs 'I've Gotta Be Me' with Mike and Will congratulates him for not being afraid to point out that he is bad at dancing. Rachel asks for the floor and hands out the composite pictures of what she will look like after the nose job. Tina says it is a terrible idea, saying it just shows that Rachel doesn't love herself. The rest of the group are also underwhelmed by the photo of Rachel with Quinn's nose, though Rachel announces that she will do it with or without their support. Finn tells her that she's beautiful, to Quinn's annoyance, but Rachel refuses to be swayed.

Will finds Emma and admits that he was disappointed she put "ginger" on her T-shirt instead of "OCD". Emma says she is supposed to be a role model for the kids, but Will points out that she is not being one as she is refusing to accept herself. He tells her that her OCD is stopping her from living her life and asks her to have lunch with him, producing some unwashed fruit. Emma is uncomfortable and begs him to stop but Will says he is trying to help, explaining that she has to accept the fact that she has a problem. He says that she works so hard counselling other people so that she can avoid counselling herself.

Later, at glee club, the group is dismayed to see Karofsky and Principal Figgins there. Will makes them listen to Karofsky, who apologises for his treatment of Kurt. He says he is ashamed and reveals that Santana has helped him see the light by showing him stories of people killing themselves because they were bullied. He says Santana helped him accept he was a bad person and he wants to change. Santana gets up and reveals that the glee club isn't complete without Kurt so she took it upon herself to rehabilitate Karofsky to see if Kurt would consider returning. She adds that they ended up falling in love and takes Karofsky's hand. Meanwhile, Karofsky reveals that they have set up a new club, the 'Bully Whips', who will roam the halls keeping the place safe. Karofsky says he has reached out to Kurt through Figgins and asks the club for their support. Later, Kurt, Burt, Karofsky, his father, Will and Figgins all meet in the principal's office but Burt is reluctant to believe that Karofsky has changed. Figgins reveals the anti-bullying club has made a real difference. Meanwhile, Karofsky's father reveals that he has noticed a change in his son and asks Burt to give Karofsky time to accept homosexuality, reminding him that as young people they also used to say things about gay people. Burt points out that Karofsky threatened to kill Kurt and Karofsky admits that he feels awful about it. Will asks Kurt what he thinks and Kurt accepts that Karofsky realises what he did was wrong, but Burt says Kurt just desperately wants to return to McKinley. Kurt asks if he can speak to Karofsky alone, and when all the adults have gone he asks what Karofsky's "angle" is. Karofsky eventually reveals the details of Santana's plan. Kurt says he has several options - he could tell everyone the truth about Karofsky's sexuality, or he could return and set up a group for the parents and friends of lesbians and gays with Karofsky. He explains that Karofsky needs to educate himself. Outside, Burt tells Finn to keep an eye on Kurt.

Rachel is in the girls' bathroom examining her nose when Puck appears. He tells her that her nose has been passed down from generation to generation to mark the survival of their people, but Rachel insists that this has nothing to do with their religion. Puck tells her to meet him later and promises never to bug her again. Afterwards, he goes to meet the other members of New Directions outside. He asks what's going on and Mercedes explains that, as it is noon, it is official. At the top of the steps, Kurt shouts: "Kurt Hummel is back in McKinley!" He starts hugging everyone and Mercedes reveals that some people want to say goodbye. Blaine and the Warblers appear, and Blaine explains that they will miss him although they know this is what he wants. They perform 'Somewhere Only We Know' as Kurt becomes tearful. At the end of the song he hugs Blaine and says he will never say goodbye to him. Blaine smiles as he watches Kurt chatting to his friends and walks off. Later, Kurt walks through the school singing 'As If We Never Said Goodbye', ending up in the choir room with the rest of New Directions.

Later, Lauren asks to speak to Quinn privately - although she calls her "Lucy". They sit in a classroom and Lauren reveals that after some digging she discovered that Quinn transferred from a different school a few years ago, and was known as Lucy Fabray. She produces a picture of Lucy - Quinn - who is overweight and wears glasses. Quinn admits that she is really Lucy Quinn Fabray but started going by her middle name because the other kids called her "Lucy Caboosey". She explains that she felt terrible about herself and had no friends. She reveals that she lost a bit of weight when she started ballet, and then joined gymnastics and the cheerleaders. She says she took medicine for her acne and had a nose job. She says she did it all because she loves herself and doesn't want to go back to being a miserable little girl, adding that now she will be prom queen. Lauren says no-one will want to vote for a fraud and tells Quinn to check the bulletin boards. Quinn runs outside and is shocked to see people laughing at a photograph of her younger self with the words: "Vote for Lucy Caboosey". She tears down the poster and runs away.

Meanwhile, Puck takes Rachel to the mall, where they meet Kurt. Kurt explains that they are staging a "Barbra-vention". He reminds her that Barba Streisand redefined beauty and says that if Rachel changes the ways he looks she will be letting her down - and all the little girls who will look up to Rachel one day. Downstairs, Puck pushes the button on a record player and Duck Sauce's 'Barbra Streisand' begins playing. Rachel laughs and is shocked to see the glee club members getting involved in a flashmob. She joins in.

Elsewhere, Emma is cleaning a chair thoroughly. It emerges that she has gone to see a therapist, but the doctor admits that they have run out of time because Emma spent so much time disinfecting the chair. The doctor tells her that OCD is very treatable but adds that it is a serious problem. Emma says that this is just who she is supposed to be but the doctor tells her that if a student with diabetes came to her, she would give the pupil insulin, not tell them that this is just how they're supposed to be. Emma admits that she feels ashamed but the doctor tells her that she's not alone, adding that she herself suffered from post-partum depression. She prescribes Emma some medication and asks to see her again next week. Back at the school, Emma stares at her medicine but eventually swallows it.

Finn finds Quinn, but she worries that she will never be elected prom queen now. Finn takes out his wallet and shows her that he is carrying a photograph of Quinn when she was Lucy. Quinn says she looks terrible, but Finn says that it is the first one where you can "really see her". They kiss and go their separate ways. Quinn is shocked when some girls looking at the "Lucy Caboosey" poster announce that they will give her their votes as she is an inspiration. Lauren appears and reveals that Quinn has shot up in the prom queen poll. She apologises for what she did and Quinn admits that she respects Lauren for walking round the school like she owns it. They walk away together. Elsewhere, Brittany shows Santana her T-shirt for glee club, which says: "I'm With Stoopid" with an arrow pointing upwards. Santana reveals that hers says "Bitch", but Brittany says she has brought another one. She produces a top saying: "Lebanese", but Santana soon works out that it should say "lesbian". Brittany explains that the stuff Santana told her the other week meant so much and she was proud to see her being so honest. However, Santana tells Brittany not to tell anyone about it and repeats that she is dating Karofsky. Brittany is disgusted but Santana tells her that Brittany has no say in who she dates because she said she loved her but Brittany didn't say it back. Brittany says she loves Santana more than Santana loves herself, saying that if she did she'd wear the "Lebanese" shirt and dance with her.

At glee club, Will announces that he is proud of everyone for their work during the week. He shows off his T-shirt, which reads "butt chin". Rachel arrives and thanks them for her "Barbra-vention". She reveals that she has cancelled her nose job and shows them that her T-shirt reads "Nose", although she can't dance with them because her broken nose is still healing. The group notices that Santana is missing but get on with their performance of 'Born This Way'. Mercedes's T-shirt reads "No Weave", Kurt's says "Likes Boys", Mike's is "Can't Sing" and Sam's is "Trouty Mouth". Meanwhile, Finn's reads "Can't Dance", Tina's is "Brown Eyes", Quinn's says "Lucy Caboosey", Artie's is "Four Eyes", Lauren's is "Bad Attitude" and Puck's reads "I'm With Stoopid", with an arrow pointing to his crotch. Emma arrives and shows Will that she is wearing an "OCD" T-shirt. He is thrilled and pulls her up on stage. Santana sits with Karofsky in the stands. She is wearing her "Lebanese" T-shirt and looks on sadly.